The Ironmen look to be the undisputed top team in the Northeast with a chance to go undefeated. Don Bosco has rolled through their eight games so far, including a Michael Gomez six-inning perfect game in their latest contest. They feature one of the deepest rosters in the region, featuring eight division one players. Matchups with traditional power Bergen Catholic and out-of-state foes St. John’s (DC) and Georgetown (MD) will give us a good idea of how good the Ironmen are. They currently sit #9 in the National Top 50 Rankings.

The Trojans received bad news a couple of weeks before the season when longtime coach Steve Mandl was suspended by the PSAL for alleged recruiting violations. Mandl had won two city championships and in his 27 years at the helm had 25 division titles. Interim coach Nick Carbone has big shoes to fill but a lot of talent to work with. The Trojans have started the year 6-0 and will be a likely destination for MLB scouts this year and next as GW features the two top 2012 grads in the Northeast in C Nelson Rodriguez and OF Fernelys Sanchez.

5.Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

The two Pennsylvania cities are a little over 300 miles apart is distance but even further apart in every other way with Pittsburgh being the Eastern-most city in the Midwest, embodying the characteristics of Rust Belt towns Cleveland, Detroit, and Indianapolis, while Philadelphia is more akin to East Coast metropolises Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.

There is always a battle in sports, as well, whether it is Steelers vs. Eagles, Penguins vs. Flyers, or Pitt vs. Villanova basketball. The battle also wages in HS baseball with both teams rich with top teams and prospects. The top team in the Pittsburgh-area looks to be Pine-Richland with competition from North Allegheny while Philadelphia boasts the early favorite for top team in the state, Germantown Academy, along with William Penn Charter and Neumann-Goretti.

Browne Buckingham and Nichols (MA)- One of the most successful schools in the state across all sports, the baseball team went 22-0 last year and look to be strong again led by the duo of LHP Andrew Chin and RHP/OF Devin Perry.

Gloucester Catholic (NJ)- The Rams won their 14th title last year and return six potential division one players, including East Carolina commit 2B Joe Brooks and a 2013 to watch in RHP Michael Schwaryn.

Lincoln-Sudbury (MA)- Off to a 2-2 start, the team is traditionally very strong and this year is led by one of the best pitchers in the state, Vanderbilt commit Adam Ravenelle.

Pine Richland (PA)- An early favorite for top team in the Pittsburgh area, SS Zac LaNeve is a UNC commit, and 2012 C Russell Clark is a prospect to watch, as well.

Xaverian (NY)- The Brooklyn school has two of the city’s top catchers in Elvin Soto and Kevin Matir. The Clippers have the talent to be one of the best teams in the city, but will have to move on without coach Dennis Canale, who resigned in December.

Notable Matchups

April 21- Don Bosco Prep (NJ) @ St. John’s (DC)

One of the biggest tests of the year for Don Bosco, the player to watch for St. John’s is 3B/RHP Nick Howard.